Seraphina and Seris went ahead to check the path. Liana stayed with One. It was a good opportunity.
Lian, apparently to examine the bones, moved away from the group. The book’s mark was exactly under the skeleton’s ribcage.
He pushed one of the heavy bones aside. A dark stone was visible beneath it.
Golden lines moved on the stone’s surface like veins, and a deep but controlled heat came out from within it.
[Rootfire Marrow]
[Rank: B]
[Description: Condensed heart-Mana formed inside ancient Emberroot creatures.]
[Uses: Equipment core enhancement, creature strengthening, and advanced medicinal refinement.]
Lian picked up the stone.
Its weight was unusual for its size. It could later be used for equipment enhancement or making medicine.
Without pausing, he placed it into his storage space, then returned the bone to almost its previous position.
When he returned to the group, no one asked any specific questions.
With the Rootfire Marrow obtained, all the treasures the Celestial Book of Treasure had shown had been collected.
Three B-rank or higher treasures in one day. The book had once again proven its real value. He also checked it again to see if there were any special treasures nearby.
The answer was no. There were some treasures, but all of them were below B-rank, and in his eyes, such treasures were no different from trash.
But it didn’t matter. Even so, he had gained a lot of profit from this Special Area. He had a lot of monster corpses in his storage space.
He was slowly getting closer to Level 20 and felt he should finally reach it within the next few days.
After One recovered its energy, they resumed moving. While moving, Lian also glanced at the map.
"We’re not far from the exit."
"That’s it? We’re arriving that soon?" Liana said with surprise and relief.
"Yeah, the passage was shorter than I expected. Compared to the Giants’ Graveyard, this was like a kindergarten."
"Isn’t that good? We faced no danger and are leaving safely." Seraphina added.
Lian nodded. At least they had been able to cross this place quickly and there was no great danger.
"I have a bad feeling. Everything has been too calm." But Seris disagreed.
"Please be quiet and don’t jinx it!" Liana glared at her.
"Look!" Seraphina pointed.
An orange light could be seen at the passage’s end. Fresh air was coming from that side. The sound of birds became clearer.
One increased its speed. The last glass walls remained behind them.
The red roots on both sides of the path parted. The group emerged from the Cindervein Passage’s opening.
Emberroot Forest spread before them.
For a few moments, no one could immediately say anything. The forest was different from all the areas they had seen so far.
Massive trees with dark brown trunks rose to heights of dozens of meters.
Red veins moved inside their bark, and every time Mana reached from the roots to the branches, the golden and orange leaves would light up.
The leaves looked like fire but did not burn.
Narrow rivers of fire flowed among the roots. Their surfaces were red and gold, and bright steam rose from them.
Unlike the Forest of Giants and Glassthorn, clear signs of civilization could be seen everywhere.
Wooden and stone bridges were built between the large roots.
A wide path lay on the ground, with traces of wheels, feet, and pack creatures on it.
Lamps with red glass were placed on posts at regular intervals. Even in the distance, part of a stone wall could be seen among the trees.
"Finally." Liana let out her breath upon seeing the path and lamps.
But Lian had a bad feeling. According to the map’s information, the civilization should not be next to the border passage. So what were all these constructions?
Could they have built a base and structures here to control and protect the border? It wasn’t unlikely. That’s what an intelligent civilization would do.
"We better be careful. We might encounter intelligent creatures at any moment."
"There’s no need to worry. I doubt—" But before Liana could complete her sentence... something happened.
One only took a few steps into the forest, and then the sound of dozens of weapons being drawn simultaneously echoed around them.
Lian immediately activated Predator’s Instincts.
Danger warnings came from all directions. Soldiers appeared from behind the trees, among the roots, and above the wooden platforms.
Not a few scattered guards, but a complete and trained unit!
More than thirty people took positions around the group in less than a few seconds.
Their armors were uniform: black metal with red lines, and rectangular shields with a flaming root emblem.
Half of them held long spears with red tips.
The rest carried bows whose strings were made of Mana strands instead of normal string.
A few archers were positioned on high platforms among the trees. All arrows were aimed directly at One and the people on its back.
Three soldiers blocked the return path to the Cindervein Passage.
Another group covered the eastern path. Even the roots above were controlled by archers.
This encirclement had not formed in an instant. They had been prepared for something to exit the passage.
One lowered its body, its jaws opened.
A wave of anger and the desire to protect entered Lian’s mind through Hive Link.
Seris placed her hand on her sword’s hilt.
Seraphina also adjusted her feet to jump down.
Shadow Wolf came out of Liana’s shadow.
"No one attack." Lian immediately said calmly, trying to calm his group members.
One still let out a muffled growl.
Lian sent another direct command through Hive Link. The ant did not fully close its jaws, but it did not attack.
Lian examined the soldiers’ formation. The distances were precise. The spearmen were in the first line, and the shields were ready to block the path.
The archers were at height, and two reserve groups were behind the roots. These were not hunters or mercenaries.
They were a real army, and it was clear their goal was to control and protect the border.
A commander came forward from the front line. His armor was thicker than the rest.
Black plates with red veins covered his chest, and a dark cloak with the flaming root emblem was on his shoulder.
He held a long spear in his hand, its tip shining with dense Mana. He stopped at a safe distance and pointed the spear directly at Lian.
"Get down from the creature."
His voice was loud and commanding. There was no sign of fear or hurry in it.
His gaze moved over One, then Lian, Seris, Seraphina, and Liana.
"Place your weapons on the ground and declare your identities."
The first line of soldiers brought their shields forward. The archers pulled their Mana strings tighter.
Lian did not get down from One, but he did not reach for any weapon either.
The commander took his gaze off them and fixed it on the Cindervein Passage’s opening.
For the first time, his cold expression changed slightly. Something between doubt and disbelief.
"No traveler comes out of that passage."
The warm wind of Emberroot moved his cloak, and the tips of all the arrows became brighter. The commander looked at Lian again.
"So explain how you four crossed a border that has been closed for years, or you will be executed!"